Ballpark at Harbor Yard – Atlantic League Bridgeport Bluefish

Bridgeport,

Ballpark Feasibility Study And Lease Negotiations

The City of Bridgeport needed a feasibility study for a proposed ballpark as part of its downtown revitalization plan. It had been selected by the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball to be home to one of its founding teams. B&D was hired by the city to complete this study and to negotiate lease terms with the prospective ownership group. Our efforts were particularly challenging since there was no operating history for this new league, and the city was understandably concerned about the league’s long-term viability. Our study’s market and financial analyses, along with our attendance projections and corresponding revenues and expenses, provided the city with the confidence necessary to enter into negotiations with the league and ownership. We advised the city on those negotiations and the new franchise—the Bluefish—began its 1998 season in the new $19 million Ballpark at Harbor Yard. In that year and all following years the Bluefish achieved attendance and revenue levels on par with our projections.

Brailsford & Dunlavey

is a national program management firm offering innovative program management services, from strategic planning through implementation.